Welcome to the first episode of Season 6 and also our 501st episode. We look forward to bringing you more great stories of Irish transport past and present during this season.
Back in late summer 2025, as part of our planning for the December celebrations marking our 500th episode of Ireland Made – stories of Irish transport, we teamed up with Irish men’s grooming brand Pomp & Co. for a day-long photoshoot around Dublin city. Images from that day later formed the backbone of a week-long Christmas competition, sponsored by Pomp & Co.
POMP & CO
Founded in Cabra, Dublin in 1947, Pomp & Co is an independent, family-run Irish brand with over seventy years’ experience crafting grooming products for men. Designed and tested by Irish Master Barbers, their range covers haircare, shaving and skincare, combining tradition, quality and craftsmanship.
Ireland Made followers can take 10% off the full Pomp & Co range when ordering on their website — just use the code IRELANDMADE10 at checkout
THE CAR
To make the biggest impact, we knew we needed the right ingredients. Pat Conroy the owner of several Dublin-built Chrysler Plymouths, a renowned expert on these cars and a familiar face from our previous videos was contacted and kindly agreed to bring his Plymouth Rat Rod to Dublin.
The Plymouth Belvedere range of cars were made by Chrysler from 1954 until 1970. In their inspiration for the name Chrysler chose the name Belvedere taken from the Italian ‘bella vista’ meaning ‘beautiful sight’ or ‘fair view’. The Belvedere model range came in 2 and 4-door saloons (sedans), hardtops, convertibles and estate cars (station wagons) and had real presence on the road measuring 2,997 mm (118.0”) in length.
F.M. SUMMERFIELD
In 1959, Chrysler of Canada shipped from their plant in Windsor Ontario, 12 of their “Completely Knocked Down” (CKD) kits for the Plymouth Belvedere to the F.M. Summerfield Works at 138 Baggot Street Dublin. Most of the parts in the CKD kits came from Canada with the flat-glass, fluids, tires, and leather seats being sourced in Ireland. From these kits, Summerfield’s then assembled 12 right-hand-drive, four-door saloons (sedans). Of the 12 saloons, only Pat Conroy’s car has survived.
THE PHOTOSHOOT
To complement the look of the Plymouth and the Pomp & Co brand, we approached Mark Robinson, Operations Manager for Sams Barbers and Pomp & Co, who very kindly agreed to be our model for the day.
Check out our previous video-stories on Pat Conroy’s Dublin-built Chryslers:
Irish Built 1959 Rat Rod (Part 1) | Season 2 – Episode 22 https://youtu.be/1rRSjHabAh0?si=ggggg5vFXhZJGNoG
JFK visits Ireland – enigma surrounds 1959 Plymouth limo (Part 2) | Season 2 – Episode 30 https://youtu.be/vvuUdbN-QKQ?si=unHb1XqzIxlU-6_1
1959 Plymouth Hearse Too Far Gone to Restore | Season 5 – Episode 62 https://youtu.be/ynalaOTV1sk?si=RbCUHnqUBguyT9hm
Ireland Made followers can take 10% off the full Pomp & Co range when ordering on their website — just use the code IRELANDMADE10 at checkout
If you have an idea for a story, please email Kevin Reid at [email protected]
Dennison Trailers generously support the running costs of our website. but rising travel expenses are our biggest challenge. With your support – €2 a month at www.irelandmade.ie we can stay on the road working to preserve and promote Ireland’s transport heritage.
Sources of Information, Photo & Video Credits:
’59 Plymouth Forum – https://59plymouth.net/59forum/viewtopic.php?t=3559
Autocar.com
Complete History of Chrysler Corporation 1924 – 1985
Standard Catalogue of Chrysler, 1914 – 2000
